Jakarta – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia (Kemlu) responded to the actions of a group of individuals who brought posters with the words “Free Papua, Free Maluku, Free Aceh” to the United Nations (UN) forum in the United States. The ministry deemed the action as an irresponsible attempt to seek sensation.
The incident occurred during the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII), which discussed issues related to indigenous peoples’ development, human rights, and the environment. A video circulating on social media showed several individuals dressed in traditional attire carrying provocative signs during the forum.
The Spokesperson for the Kemlu, Rolliansyah Soemirat, or Roy, stated that the individuals misused the forum and were immediately taken action by UN security. The campaign materials they brought were also confiscated.
“The UN promptly followed up on the matter by taking action against those who misused the forum,” Roy told reporters on Friday (April 25, 2025).
Roy emphasized that the UNPFII forum is an official platform for member states to exchange ideas on community empowerment, not for unilateral actions that undermine sovereignty. Although the delegation attended as part of an NGO, they were deemed to have violated the ethics of the international forum.
“They came with the intention of seeking sensation and misused the forum. This shows a lack of responsibility and ethics in behaving in society,” Roy concluded.
